[Nfbk] FW: National Federation of the Blind Urges Swift Action on Recommendations for Accessible Higher Education Materials

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From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org]
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 4:20 PM
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Subject: National Federation of the Blind Urges Swift Action on
Recommendations for Accessible Higher Education Materials


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org



National Federation of the Blind Urges Swift Action
on Recommendations for Accessible Higher Education Materials


Baltimore, Maryland (December 13, 2011): The National Federation of the
Blind (NFB) commented today on the recently released final report of the
Advisory Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials in Postsecondary
Education for Students with Disabilities.  The commission was created by
Congress following extensive advocacy by the NFB as part of the Higher
Education Opportunity Act of 2008.  The report sets forth specific
recommendations to facilitate the production and distribution of accessible
instructional materials-including printed and digital books, journals,
course packs, articles, tests, videos, instructor-created materials, and Web
pages, as well as any hardware, firmware, software, or other means of
accessing such materials-to students who are blind or have other
disabilities.  The report focuses on making mainstream educational products
accessible to the maximum extent possible, allowing students with and
without disabilities to access the same materials at the same time and at
the same price.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"The blind and other students with disabilities have an equal right to
participate in higher education. Access to textbooks and other instructional
materials has historically presented the greatest barrier to a truly equal
education for blind students.  The transition from print to digital
materials presents great challenges; but, if managed properly, it will mean
that blind students and other students with disabilities will, for the first
time, have equal access to educational content on the same terms as their
non-disabled peers.  This report presents recommendations that, if properly
implemented, will help to ensure that this potential is realized."



Mark Riccobono, executive director of the National Federation of the Blind
Jernigan Institute and a member of the commission, said: "Ultimately the
success of this report will depend on whether Congress acts to implement its
recommendations, but the recommendations themselves are strong and will make
a real difference to postsecondary students with disabilities if
implemented.  As the report notes, while there is some activity in the
mainstream market to include accessibility in electronic textbooks and other
products, it will take a combination of market incentives and government
regulations in order to ensure that the blind and other students with
disabilities are placed on equal footing with their peers.  If the report's
recommendations are not acted upon, however, students with disabilities will
be put at a greater disadvantage than ever before in terms of access to
educational materials.  We therefore urge Congress to act swiftly on the
commission's recommendations."





###





About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National
Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training
center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.


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